Episode Description
<p><strong>The Nicks fall into a meme-hole, discuss the doings of Gandalf and Saruman, and finally get down to brass tacks to decide what is to be the fate of this Council... and The Ring.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">THIS JUST IN!<br /> <br /> A COUNCIL HAS GATHERED….TO COUNCIL....</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ELVES, DWARVES, MEN, AND HALFLINGS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DELIBERATIONS ENSUE AND STORIES ARE TOLD -- INCLUDING BILBO'S!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ISILDUR'S BANE REVEALED!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WHY ARE WE HERE?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CAN ONE SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR, AND WHAT IS GANDALF'S STORY?</span></p> <p><strong><br /> Maps</strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/M-eMap">Map of Middle-earth</a> </p> <p><a href="http://lotrproject.com/map/">LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!</a></p> <p><strong><br /> Notes for this episode</strong></p> <p><a href= "http://orig14.deviantart.net/8939/f/2013/195/2/3/use_the_force_harry_by_chris9774-d6dfybw.jpg"> Use the Force Harry</a></p> <p><a href= "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aMvo68ffRw/U1WG5Fui8CI/AAAAAAAAAU8/vVyRK1kNZZ8/s1600/52-sense-this-picture-makes-none.jpeg"> Vader Brita</a></p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/KaqC5FnvAEc">Saruman Trololo</a></p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/7QWGZbb-g9w">Trolling Saruman Part 2</a></p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/v6LXdnJ2Dmo">Trolling Saruman Part 3</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Other fandom trolling memes:</p> <ul> <li><a href= "https://pics.onsizzle.com/Facebook-terrydragon2-148abb.png">1</a></li> <li><a href= "http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/fd/fd1ca81384b72ebdc72f8ae8b375fd482c8f59267ecf7a7cc104ca7c09f97126.jpg"> 2</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.kirstenjhansen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/UseTheForceHarry.jpg"> 3</a></li> <li><a href= "https://dykewriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/trek-wars.jpeg">4</a></li> <li><a href= "https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7dUHrJCIAAv2JV.jpg:large">5<br /></a></li> </ul> <p><strong>The story in this chapter</strong></p> <ul> <li>Gandalf's Tale: <ul> <li>Gandalf has the longest part to tell - but he has done the most to understand the enemy, the Ring, and to set in motion the tale we now read.</li> <li>Saruman <ul> <li>The Rings and their jewels or lack thereof</li> </ul> </li> <li>Hunting for Gollum</li> <li>Saruman knew of writing upon the Ring - but what is the source of his knowledge <ul> <li>Who else but Sauron held the Ring? Isildur <ul> <li>That means Minas Tirith might hold a clue</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Abandoning the chase to go to Gondor! <ul> <li>Denethor not very welcoming</li> </ul> </li> <li>The scroll of Isildur describing the "fire writing" unknown language - but eleven letters</li> <li>Gandalf HAS tested the Ring</li> <li>Speaking the words of Mordor - of the Ring</li> <li>Gollum did go to Mordor <ul> <li>He was forced to spill his guts about the Ring</li> <li>The servants of the enemy have been to the Shire, and now know - perhaps the enemy already knows - that the Ring is in Rivendell</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gollum imprisoned with the Wood Elves <ul> <li>Definitely still full of mischief</li> </ul> </li> <li>Legolas speaks up in distress <ul> <li>Gollum has escaped</li> <li>How so? Was it coordinated? Did he have help? Or was he just being opportunistic?</li> <li>Gollum is cunning, escapes the skill of the elves to track</li> <li>Heading to Dol Guldor</li> <li>Gandalf - Gollum may have a part to play yet - Tolkien keeps insisting on this - it must mean something</li> </ul> </li> <li>What of Saruman? <ul> <li>Drawn to Orthanc by the message of Radagast (taken advantage of my Saruman) - Tells of Nazgul</li> <li>The Nazgul keep asking for the Shire</li> <li>Saruman summons Gandalf to give him "aide"</li> <li>Radagast to send messages</li> <li>Bree - stopped at the Prancing Pony (when was all of this?)</li> <li>To Isengard - Orthanc - Built by Numenor - At the Gap of Rohan</li> <li>Fear fell on him inside Isengard</li> <li>Saruman the White or…. Many Colors</li> <li>Saruman feels that Gandalf has been hiding information in the Shire</li> <li>Saruman has contempt for Radagast … and Gandalf… and their colors</li> <li>"Saruman the Wise" "Saruman ring maker" "Saruman of many colors"</li> <li>White - can be broken - or - is perfect <ul> <li>Leaving the path of wisdom</li> </ul> </li> <li>A choice <ul> <li>The world of men which we must rule</li> <li>We need power</li> <li>"WE"</li> <li>"There is no help in elves or dying Numenor"</li> <li>Join with that power - there is hope that way - and rich reward</li> <li>Join the evil way despising the many evil things biding their time to come to their true purpose.</li> <li>Knowledge, Rule, Order</li> <li>No change in designs - only in our means</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Ruling Ring - "If WE could command that, then the power would pass to US."</li> <li>Gandalf a prisoner of Orthanc - on the pinnacle</li> <li>A narrow stair of many thousand steps. <ul> <li>In Letter 210 - Tolkien tells us that Orthanc is 500 feet tall</li> <li>In modern American building terms that is about 29 stories.</li> <li>Not huge - but massive for the surrounding area</li> <li>To take the stairs literally then - 500 feet divided by "many thousand" (5000?) works out to be approximately 1000 steps per hundred feet. - 100 steps per 10 feet or 10 steps per foot.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Pits and forges, wolves, and orcs - Saruman is building an army - to rival Sauron <ul> <li>How was this kept hidden from Gandalf when he got there? Or did it happen while he was there?</li> </ul> </li> <li>Frodo calls back to a dream! (REVISIT PIN) <ul> <li>It was late</li> </ul> </li> <li>Radagast was true and trustworthy</li> <li>The Eagles - Gwaihir</li> </ul> </li> <li>Rohan</li> <li>Tribute of horses - tribute of horses and many to Mordor <ul> <li>It's a lie</li> </ul> </li> <li>Evil at work</li> <li>Shadowfax <ul> <li>Tireless, swift as the flowing wind, silver by day, shade by night, light footfall, unridden, untamed,</li> <li>Gandalf reached the Shire when Frodo was in the Barrow Downs though they left the same day (Rohan, Hobbiton)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gaffer - changes for the worst (Needs a pin?) <ul> <li>Changes already started?</li> <li>Has Saruman already started to tear it apart looking for the Ring?</li> </ul> </li> <li>Crickhollow <ul> <li>Broken into - Hope left Gandalf</li> </ul> </li> <li>To Bree - Butterbur <ul> <li>Good news - renewed hope!</li> <li>A night's rest.</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Nazgul's movements <ul> <li>2 Nazgul in Bree</li> <li>4 in the Shire</li> <li>2 at Crickhollow</li> <li>Captain in secret south of Bree</li> </ul> </li> <li>After the attack on Bree/Crickhollow <ul> <li>Some across country Eastward</li> <li>The Captain and others along the Road</li> <li>2 days out from Bree - Gandalf beset in the Ring of Amon Sul - Weathertop</li> <li>The Wraiths were already there.</li> <li>Closed around at night - Light and Flame!</li> <li>Gandalf fled to the North - then toward Rivendell</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gandalf nearly 14 days to Rivendell <ul> <li>Only 3 days before Frodo</li> </ul> </li> <li>End of tale</li> </ul> </li> <li>THE PURPOSE! - What shall we do with the Ring <ul> <li>The old forest used to stretch from where it is to the other side of Isengard (Fangorn even?)</li> <li>Can we obtain help from Tom Bombadil? Send the Ring to him for safe keeping? <ul> <li>The Ring has no power over him. He would forget it and throw it away</li> <li>Also, even the enemy could be held off - his country would be besieged and ultimately overthrown</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Ring cannot be kept away by strength only 2 options <ul> <li>Send it over the Sea <ul> <li>They would not receive it - it belongs to Middle-earth</li> </ul> </li> <li>Destroy it <ul> <li>We have no craft that can unmake it.</li> </ul> </li> <li>OR cast it into the deeps - where it could not be recovered. <ul> <li>Only a delay tactic</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Gandalf wants to make an end of Sauron - not delay</li> <li>Sauron - would expect the Westward option (in or over the sea) <ul> <li>He would March up the coast to the Grey Havens</li> </ul> </li> <li>Westward road seems easiest - and therefore must be avoided <ul> <li>It will be watched</li> </ul> </li> <li>That leaves only the option to undo the Ring <ul> <li>The only hope - to take the Ring to Mordor - to the fire</li> <li>Frodo felt a dead darkness in his heart</li> </ul> </li> <li>Boromir <ul> <li>Why hide and destroy?</li> <li>What if it has come to us in our great moment of need?</li> <li>Why not wield it?</li> <li>Valor needs first strength, and then a weapon.</li> <li>The Ring can be our weapon.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Elrond <ul> <li>We cannot use it</li> <li>It was made by Sauron and is his alone</li> <li>it cannot be wielded by any except those with great power of their own.</li> <li>But for them, the desire of it corrupts their heart <ul> <li>Like Saruman - corrupted by the thought alone</li> </ul> </li> <li>It is evil and dangerous</li> <li>Nothing is evil in the beginning - even Sauron.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Boromir <ul> <li>So be it Gondor will fight on</li> <li>Perhaps the sword that was broken can help <ul> <li>"If the hand who wields it holds more than an heirloom but also the sinews of the kings of men"</li> </ul> </li> <li>May the day not be delayed</li> <li>It would comfort us to know others fought also</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gloin <ul> <li>More power if the people's join together</li> <li>What of the three rings of the elves?</li> <li>They were made by the dark lord long ago <ul> <li>Do they remain?</li> <li>Are they idle?</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Elrond <ul> <li>We cannot speak of them</li> <li>They are not idle, but they also are not weapons</li> <li>But if Sauron regains the One all their strength would be turned to destruction</li> <li>If the One is destroyed <ul> <li>Perhaps they will be freed, and be able to heal the hurts of the world</li> <li>Or perhaps they will fail and many things will fade and be forgotten</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Glorfindel <ul> <li>But all the Elves are willing to take this chance!</li> </ul> </li> <li>Back to the destruction of the Ring <ul> <li>What strength have we for the finding of the fire?</li> <li>That is the path of Despair! Or Folly!</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gandalf <ul> <li>Despair <ul> <li>Is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt</li> </ul> </li> <li>Wisdom to recognize necessity when all other courses have been weighed</li> <li>Folly <ul> <li>It may appear to those who cling to false hope.</li> <li>Let folly be our cloak/veil before the eyes of the enemy</li> </ul> </li> <li>The only measure Sauron knows is Desire, "the desire for power and so he judges all hearts." <ul> <li>He does not think that anyone can refuse it, and therefore follow through with destroying it</li> <li>If we seek to destroy it - we shall put him out of reckoning <ul> <li>AKA - he won't see it coming - it's not a possibility he thinks would ever happen</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>"This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong." <ul> <li>Small hands do them because they must</li> <li>While the eyes of the great are elsewhere</li> <li>(THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE PLAN!)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Bilbo - It's plain enough what you're pointing at <ul> <li>I started it, and I must finish it.</li> <li>Boromir nearly laughs at Bilbo</li> <li>Elrond - your part is ended</li> <li>What do you mean by "they"</li> </ul> </li> <li>The messengers who are sent with the Ring <ul> <li>Bilbo - "Exactly, and who are they to be?"</li> <li>That seems to be the only thing this Council needs to decide</li> <li>Let's get some names together</li> </ul> </li> <li>No one spoke - looking downcast - in deep thought <ul> <li>Frodo - felt a dread or doom on him <ul> <li>And an overwhelming desire to rest in peace with Bilbo in Rivendell</li> <li>"At last with an effort, he spoke and wondered to hear his words, as if some other will was using his small voice. 'I will take the Ring.' <ul> <li>[NJ - DEFINITION OF BRAVERY - the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. -- speaking up in spite of deep desires because it is the thing that must be done, or the right thing to do.]</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Elrond <ul> <li>I think that this task is appointed for you, and if you do not find a way no one will.</li> <li>But it is a heavy burden <ul> <li>I do not lay it on you but if you take it freely I would say that your choice is right.</li> <li>And though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, Hurin, Turin, and Beren, you shall be seated among them.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>SAM! [Again eavesdropping] -- But you won't send him off alone! <ul> <li>No indeed - You at least shall go with him.</li> <li>A nice pickle we've landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>New Characters:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Denethor - Steward of Gondor</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Saruman the White/Many Colored - Istari, Leader of the White Council</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Gollum (makes an appearance)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Theoden - King of Rohan</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Shadowfax? - Lord of Horses</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Radagast the Brown - Istari, part of the White Council</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Links</strong></p> <p><a href= "https://www.greendragonlive.com/">greendragonlive.com</a></p> <p><a href= "https://www.twitter.com/greendragonlive">Twitter</a></p> <p><a href="https://facebook.com/greendragonlive">Facebook</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/GDLoniTunes">iTunes/Apple Podcast</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/GDLonStitcher">Stitcher</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/GDLonGPM" target="_blank">Google Play Music</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/GDLonYouTube" target= "_blank">YouTube</a></p> <p>"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License <a href= "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/HarryMurrellonGDL">Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
